The Chicago Bears are getting ready for the 2026 NFL Draft, where general manager Ryan Poles and his staff are finalizing their plans before things kick off in Pittsburgh in less than a week.
The Bears have several important holes to fill and premium draft capital to get it done. They have four picks in the first 89 selections, including a pair of second rounders after trading wide receiver DJ Moore to the Buffalo Bills. But don’t expect positional need to change general manager Ryan Poles’ draft philosophy, where selecting the best available has always been the intent.
With that said, there are holes at several positions on the roster, specifically defense, and you can see that reflected in yet another round of mock drafts. We’ve rounded up the latest 2026 NFL mock drafts, where experts believe Chicago is gearing up to add an impact edge rusher or perhaps sneak away with one of two top safeties.
USA Today: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo
Aryton Ostly: “Chicago signed Cam Lewis and Coby Bryant in free agency, but still has a glaring need at safety after losing Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker. McNeil-Warren is the latest Toledo standout in the secondary to hit the draft. At 6-foot-3 and 201 pounds, he dishes out hits in run defense with solid ball skills as well in coverage with the frame to take on myriad assignments.”
The Athletic: T.J. Parker, EDGE, Clemson
Dane Brugler: “The Bears have the edge rushers to line up today and play competitive football, but they would love to add another talented pass rusher to their rotation. Parker didn’t quite have the 2025 season many expected, but his motor and leveraged power led to disruption against the pass and run.”
ESPN: Zion Young, DE, Missouri
Mel Kiper Jr.: “The Bears’ attempts to give Montez Sweat a running mate off the edge have fallen short, but Young could finally be the answer. He piled up 6.5 sacks, 46 pressures and 18 tackles for loss last season, showing a mix of power and quickness. The Bears are suddenly legit contenders in the NFC, but their 35 sacks last season tied for seventh fewest in the league. I mentioned this in my last mock draft — in which I also had Young to Chicago — but it’s worth repeating: The Bears haven’t used a top-50 pick on an edge rusher since Leonard Floyd went ninth in 2016. It’s time to get a little more aggressive at the position during the draft.”
NFL.com: Zion Young, EDGE, Missouri
Mike Band: “With Dennis Allen reshaping the defense, this feels like a spot where Chicago can lean into a clear coordinator profile: big, long and strong off the edge. Young checks those boxes at 6-foot-6 and 262 pounds with 33-inch arms, giving the Bears a physical base end who can set the edge opposite Montez Sweat while still offering pass-rush upside to justify the pick.”
CBS Sports: Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
Tom Fornelli: “The Bears have addressed a lot of needs on their defense this offseason, but there are still question marks at safety and in the pass rush. The top edge rushers are gone. The top safety isn’t, until now.”
FOX Sports: Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
Geoff Schwartz: “Thieneman’s a dual-threat safety who’s willing to play in the box to tackle, which means the Bears can use him in different roles.”
Sports Illustrated: Akheem Mesidor, EDGE, Miami
Justin Melo: “We know EDGE is a priority for Chicago after they were heavily involved in the Maxx Crosby sweepstakes. With minimal free agency investments on the defensive line, Chicago turns to the draft to fill this void. The factor causing Mesidor to fall to No.25 is the same reason Chicago would covet the Miami pass rusher, his age. Already 25 years old, Mesidor’s physical profile is closer to a finished product than a developmental project, and he could be ready to start opposite Montez Sweat right away.”
Sporting News: Kendrick Faulk, EDGE, Auburn
Vinnie Iyer: “The Bears have been attached to Faulk as a big complementary pass rusher to Montez Sweat since early in the draft process. His powerful style plays well as a No. 2 end for Dennis Allen.”
Athlon Sports: T.J. Parker, EDGE, Clemson
Luke Easterling: “The Bears should be a primary landing spot if the Giants end up trading Dexter Lawrence, and this pick could be involved. If Chicago stays at this spot, though, they could dip into a loaded class of edge rushers to find a three-down presence in Parker. His well-rounded skill set would boost the Bears’ defensive front against both the run and pass, and he’s a pro-ready prospect who should make an instant impact for a playoff contender.”
Bleacher Report: T.J. Parker, EDGE, Clemson
Brent Sobleski: “In order for the Chicago Bears to get the most out of the remaining two years on Montez Sweat’s current contract, the team must find him a suitable running mate. Clemson’s T.J. Parker isn’t a premium pass-rusher at this point, but the 21-year-old still has significant growth potential, hence why he was viewed as a possible top-10 prospect entering the 2025 campaign.”
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This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: 2026 NFL mock draft roundup: Edge rusher a lock for Bears at No. 25?
Reporting by Alyssa Barbieri, Bears Wire / Bears Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
